Fast enough frame rate shooting .jpg @ 3+/sec. (shutter speed dependent of course)
From power-up to ready-to-shoot is very short amount of time. If you holster and hit power as you grab it, it is ready to go by the time it meets your eye.
Focus is fast, though not in lower light where it tends to 'hunt'.
Settings that make the most impact on image quality are easy to find. Quick to access.
I pretty much always shoot with the histogram visible and as a result have had much better luck with the resulting images.
Manual focus with live-view is a nice feature. In a tripod, and zoomed in w/ either 7x or 10x live view really lets you get your subject in focus... (as long as they aren't moving).
Longer lenses (lower end, 70-300mm) are smaller, lighter, but do not allow for as much light.
Overall I love the camera and wouldn't hesitate to purchase it again.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/inglysh/3580772961/

Focus in low light can be slow. Using flash as af-illumination is annoying to the user and the subjects.
Not a lot of choices when it comes to 4/3rds lenses and even fewer with IS (I know of 2 or 3 from leica).
No IS, while not a deal breaker, could have saved a few blurry pictures, but lets face it... none of what I take is ever going to win any awards either.
Not a huge fan of electronic focusing.
Small(ish, when compared w/ the alternatives) may not allow camera to be as light sensative as competitors.
Shorter, wider lenses aren't as available. 18mm is the alternative, getting better requires an 8mm fish-eye or a $1700+ pro-level lens.
Face detection isn't perfectly conceived.
ISO is noisy above 800, 1600 is as high as it will go. Hoped for better performance @ 1600 as they are almost unusable.

Body -
Operation -
Auto Mode works well for beginners and gives 'consistent' results. Within a few shots though, you'll want to migrate towards 'P,S & M' Modes'.
The biggest improvement in image quality is found by getting to know and understanding what to expect from the metering mode you are using and how to adjust the exposure compensation to adjust. Like many other camera's I've read about it is easy to 'trick' the camera into under or over exposing an image.
The camera focuses quickly, but can have some trouble in low light. I've been using a Promaster 7500 EDF flash and when attached, seems to focus noticeably quicker, though this may be imagined as I've not verified through testing. I operate this camera with both the 14.42 and 40.150. With a range covering the focal length equivalent of 28.300. Both lenses work well with the camera and produce adequate results for my personal tastes.
Operating the camera is easy enough and getting through the menus can easily be classified as intuitive.
The biggest impact for me, at time of purchase, was how it felt in my hands.
I had been looking at the various Canon and Nikon options and really wasn't considering the Olympus. I went to the store for a comparison and the final decision and and threw in the Olympus just for the added confusion.
After a rather quick workup on the Nikon and Canon equivalent I was torn between the two but leaning towards the Canon. I tried the Olympus and it 'just felt right'. I have smaller hands and felt that this camera was easy to hold. The menus and visibility of the settings made a big difference. I felt like the power switch was easier to operate, mostly due to its similarity towards my last camera.

Similar Products Used:

None - first DSLR

Size/weight
Price
Support
Zuiko lenses
Performance
Olympus Family of products

No in camera IS
If you are coming from a DSLR, the grip is a little inadequate. Not a weakness if you are coming from a point and shoot
LCD is a bit weak - Can't really review images in semi bright to bright light

Before I purchased the E420, I was looking for a small and capable SLR type camera. I carry am an outdoor junkie and I carry my camera with me everywhere including hiking, biking, skiing and camping. After a series of accidents, my trusted Canon G9 stopped working. I first bought a Sigma DP1 looking for image quality in a large pocket sized camera. The Sigma was too slow for my needs. I also broke this camera on a rock in November.

I finally bought the Olympus E420 in October. I decided on the E420 over the E520 and Panasonic G1. Price was not an important factor for me. Size, function, quality and options were important. I liked that both the E520 and the G1 had real IS, but I wanted the smaller size of the E420 and the G1 just didn't have the lens support I wanted right now. I bought the kit with the 25 mm pancake lens. I also bought a flash and a 14-54 2.8f (not the inexpensive kit lens) I'm no pro, but I've had a couple of descent cameras. This Olympus with the 14-54 Zuiko lens produces amazing images and I appreciate the added depth of field over my old G9.

The 25mm kit lens took some time to get used too. It's a bit limiting for outdoor photography as it just isn't wide enough. It is small thought and it is a great package to always carry with you. I took a trip to Utah and while hiking and back packing took some great pics where I just wanted to see more of the big country. Good images, but not wide enough.

One other feature I like is the quick menu function on the back of the camera. Once you figure out the quick menu function, you can do just about anything quickly.

As an enthusiast looking for compact size, versatility, expandability the Olympus E420 and system are perfect. In my opinion the E420 still has the best value and performance in its class.

Now I'm just trying to figure out how to get an E3 into my house.

Customer Service

I have not used any Olympus customer service at this time.

Similar Products Used:

Canon Digital Rebel w/14-55mm
Canon G9 P & S
Sigma DP1

Very thin, with the pancake lens you can put the whole camera in your pocket!

The screen is nice and large, and the burst mode is great.

CF and xD cards only, wish it used SD.

Live View mode is very slow.

Overall it is a really great camera. I'm using an Olympus 40-150 lens.

It's pretty easy to use, I haven't had a chance to shoot any games yet though. I have taken some fantastic shots of my dogs in play.

I do not like the live view mode at all, it takes forever to focus. Using the viewfinder, the camera will focus almost twice as fast, and I have almost no wasted shots or missed opportunities.

Fast and correct focus in difficult conditions with Pancake 25mm.
Very tough noise even at ISO400 if the NR filter is OFF.
At NR filter switched on the noise at ISO800 is acceptable but details are smoothed.
ISO500 and ISO640 would be good choise in low light but them are absent in menu.

Non comfortable to hold long. The belt holder is placed extremely inconvinient. Because of it the forefinger hurts after an hour.

Problems with sharpness and focusing with old kit-lenses like ZD14-45/3.5-5.6

All the rest is typically Olympus - good colours, good interface, good made.